B'Twin GPS Satcount +

Whether you're new to cycling or re-discovering it there comes a point were you start to accumulate the miles. Perhaps over time you might want to discover how many miles, what the elevation was, record your routes or accumulate any number of different types of data.The GPS Satcount + from B'Twin is designed to accommodate these requirements but it falls somewhat short of these goals. 

This non-mapping GPS computer does the basics well but it is in need of some improvements to hit the benchmark set by other more established brands. In fairness to B'Twin it seems most of these will be dealt with through software upgrades later in the year but in the meantime it lacks much of the expected performance of other GPS units.

Out of the box the first thing you are struck by is the size of the head unit. The facia is 9 x 5 cm although in terms of screen size this reduces to 4.2 x 3.2 cm. With the tool free mounting fitted the depth of the unit becomes quite sizeable at 3.5 cm.

Given the size of the Satcount what do you get? The easy fit handlebar mount is quite useful in that you can use the two-directional mount to fit the Satcount either on the stem or the bars by unscrewing the mount and turning it to the position you need. The rubber strap you use to hook onto the mount is slightly excessive and you are left with a fair amount flapping in the wind.

Now the B'Twin offers all the functionality you'd expect from a unit that costs around £100. It covers your speed, distance, time, altitude, +/- elevation, cadence and heart rate if you have an ANT+ cadence sensor and heart rate belt, neither of which are provided.

Once you have your data recorded you can then download it to your PC or Mac by using MyGeonaute software. I did try loading direct to Strava but the files weren't recognised. That's something that should be rectified in the Autumn with a software update.

Once you turn the Satcount on you are presented with a menu. On most occasions it went straight to the ride menu, but a couple of times it reverted back to the settings option, forcing me to input all my personal details again. Frustrating.

The first time I tried to upload my data to the Geonaute software I just couldn't get the software to recognise the unit. I did some research and it appears that B'Twin have been made aware of the issue as their UK Market Manager had responded to a previous customer to advise a factory reset was required. After this I was able to upload the data.

The Geonaute software is an area that will be improved later this year. This will allow a better interaction and will allow you to load GPX files. The initial look of the software is fairly basic but it does give you the details you'd hope to see having put the effort in on your ride. You can view the map of your route and the detail is pretty accurate. I used the B'Twin Satcount alongside my Garmin to compare and in most aspects the readings were similar. The only reading that varied regularly was the height gained.

There are two other functions that the Satcount offers. The Challenge mode where you can follow a route you have previously ridden to compare times etc, a useful training tool. The second is the Navigation mode; where you can follow a pre-loaded route with the details displayed on screen for you to follow.

Overall, the Satcount provides a level of data that you'd expect to see from a relatively inexpensive non-mapping GPS unit. There are some short-comings that have been identified by B'Twin themselves and will be addressed, namely the software bugs on the head unit and the ability of the Geonaute interface. The size of the unit is on the large side and whilst it is robust it has certain limitations.

Verdict

The Satcount performs the GPS functions well but there are still a few quirks with the operating software and the interface